Beth McElroy, President and Founder

Designed2Date, Inc.

Exclusive Opportunities for Individuals Over 40

March, 2011 issue of Make it Better Magazine

Founder and President, Designed2Date, Inc. ~ Vernon Hills

Beth McElroy had a traditional corporate career. She worked for 15 years as Vice President of Human Resources for a large landscape company. But she was ready for a change. So, the single mother with a 14-year-old son did something very bold: She resigned. She knew she wanted to own her own business, but wasn’t sure what to do.

“My favorite part was meeting people,” says Beth. She also firmly believes in the power of networking and is an active member of her area Chamber of Commerce. With those two ideas and encouragement from her longtime boyfriend, she started researching matchmaking and online dating. She knew she could improve the options.

“Single people over 40 wanted a way to meet naturally, face-to-face,” she says. So she started Designed2Date, a membership-based social club with events twice a month at local, upscale restaurants. She meets and screens every applicant.

“At the least, you’ll make new friends and at the best, you’ll find someone to date,” she says. But the best has happened instead. Successful relationships and friendships have grown.

And Beth uses her entrepreneurial skills to benefit her community. She’s chairing a benefit gala for Meals on Wheels of Lake County, and she continues to be involved with other groups.  “I have deep roots in this community,” says the Libertyville native. And she’s helping other singles find roots of their own.

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December 9, 2010 Pioneer Press  By JOHN ROSZKOWSKI jroszkowski@pioneerlocal.com

Vernon Hills women finds second career with Social club for Singles over 40

The dating scene can be tough for individuals over 40. Beth McElroy of Vernon Hills wants to make that experience a little easier for singles who are looking to find someone special but are tired of meeting people in bars or on-line.

In 2008, McElroy left a position in the corporate world after 15 years with the desire to start her own business. She eventually came up with the idea for Designed2Date, Inc., a company that hosts events for individuals over the age of 40 who are looking to meet other eligible singles in their age group from Lake and northern Cook counties. “I want it to be reputable and professional, but fun!”

"Being a single person who has been in a committed relationship for five years, I believe this provides a better option for singles than on-line dating or matchmaking," she said. "I'm offering something unique and different for people who are tired of, or don't want to try, on-line dating."

Designed2Date hosts regular monthly dinner events for members at different restaurants. McElroy said the events are typically held on weeknights at upscale establishments such as Lovells of Lake Forest, Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant in Wheeling, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar in Lincolnshire and Cellar Gate Wine Market in Highwood.

McElroy said the events are typically held in private rooms and she does some fun ice-breaking games to spur interaction and help the members get to better know each other. She supplies appetizers for the events and members can buy their own drinks from a cash bar.  "It's guaranteed forced interaction but in a very safe, fun and comfortable environment," she said.

In the year-and-a-half she has been in business, she has held about 70 events. Typically, she does about three events a month, two for members and one for prospective members. McElroy said that right now the group has 44 members from Lake and northern Cook counties, most of whom are professionals. She said members can be single, divorced or widowed. She said she has met a number of new members through a networking group she heads up for the GLMV Chamber of Commerce.

"I want it to be reputable and professional but also fun too," she said. "These aren't stuffy people by any means."

Before they can join the group, McElroy said individuals must first agree to a background check conducted by her to verify they have no criminal record or are not married. She also interviews all prospective members before they can join the group. McElroy said members feel more secure knowing that the people who are joining the group have been pre-screened. "These are quality people," she said. "If they don't pass my interview and what my gut feels, they can't be a member."

McElroy said membership is $100 a month for 12 months to be paid on a monthly basis. She said individuals who decide they do not want to continue in the group have the option to cancel their membership after six months. McElroy said members of the group make new single friends and in some cases they find someone for a serious relationship.

"I always say the very worse that's going to happen is you're going to make new friends and the best is that you might find someone special that you want to date," she said.

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